2014

The IAC Masteries®

Infographics

A beautiful interdependence

Natalie Tucker Miller, MMC

W W W . C E R T I F I E D C O A C H . O R G

International Association of Coaching ©2014

The IAC Coaching Masteries ® were developed by an international team of coaches with the aim to

produce clear standards and measures for what constitutes the highest level of coaching, which can be

understood in cultures around the world.

One of the measures of a masterful coaching session is how the skills are demonstrated in a complete

and integrated manner. The following infographics exhibit the interdependence of the Masteries.

In order to provide a transformative coaching approach, the IAC® measures the 9 Masteries in a

single session. This can be accomplished when the coach understands how each of the separate

components are related to one another.

The following graphics represent only some of the ways the Masteries are supported through their

relationship to one another. This is just a sampling, and I encourage you to begin to recognize other

ways they are connected through your coaching study and practice.

Each Mastery is represented by a color, located in the center of the graph, as additional means for

visually identifying the connections.

Color Key:

MASTERY ONE

MASTERY TWO

MASTERY THREE

MASTERY FOUR

MASTERY FIVE

MASTERY SIX

MASTERY SEVEN

MASTERY EIGHT

MASTERY NINE

Mastery #9

When the coach invites

suggestions from the client

(#1), sustainability of the

support systems and

structures are more likely to

occur (#9).

Mastery #8

The coach can more easily

stay open to possibility,

even if the client is resistant

(#8) when the client

perceives the coach as their

personal advocate (#1).

Master #7

Continually clarifying what

the client intends (#7) can

lead to deeper questions

that uncover unrealized

hopes and dreams (#1). Master #6

When the source of the

client’s needs are revealed

(#6) the client can see how

transformation and growth

are manageable (#1).

Master #5

The coach maintains focus

on and attention to the

client (#5) by using active

listening and reflecting back

to the client (#1).

Master #4

Discovery and

transformation that emerge

from safety (#1) are often

the by-product of the coach

responding from awareness

and attunement (#4).

Mastery #3

Confidence and reassurance

(#1) can be established

when the client is not being

led or talked into in a

particular direction by the

coach (#3).

Mastery #2

When the coach is alert to

indications of fear or doubt

(#1), the coach can

empathetically challenge

the limiting beliefs that may

be the source of the fear

(#2).

Mastery

#1

Examples of how

“Establishing and

Maintaining a Relationship

of Trust” supports and is

supported by the other

masteries.

Mastery #9

The coach can actively

seeks to identify ways of

expanding capability

through systems and

structures (#9) when he/she

has an genuine belief in the

client’s potential (#2).

Mastery #8

Posing questions to

enhance the process of

discovery (#8) can

encourage the client to

consider the kind of legacy

he/she would like to leave

(#2).

Master #7

Helping the client become

and remain focused and

working toward intended

goals (#7) encourages the

client to move forward,

planning appropriate

actions (#2).

Master #6

When the coach identifies

patterns (#6), the client is

more apt to notice

behaviors, thoughts and

beliefs that are limiting (#2).

Master #5

As the coach demonstrates

a belief in the client’s

potential (#2), the coach’s

communication can become

a springboard to more

positive results (#5).

Master #4

When the coach responds

from awareness instead of

conditioned reactions (#4),

the coach can offer sincere

and “in-the-moment”

encouragement (#2).

Mastery #3

The client’s tone and ideas

can flow effortlessly (#3)

when he/she is feeling an

expansion into the next

natural phase (#2).

Mastery #1

When the coach reminds

the client of his/her

capabilities and strengths

(#2), the client is likely to

view the coach as his/her

personal advocate.

Mastery

#2

Examples of how

“Perceiving, affirming and

expanding the client’s

potential” supports and is

supported by the other

Masteries.

Mastery #9

Discerning the appropriate

coaching method based on

the client’s needs (#3) aligns

coaching points with the

client’s values and culture.

(#9)

Mastery #8

Drawing on the client’s

various scenarios,

circumstances and cultures

(#8) is possible when the

coach elicits thoughts from

the client rather than leads

the conversation. (#3)

Master #7

One way the coach can

provide an opportunity for

the client to review what

he/she said (#3) is through

rephrasing the client’s

intentions. (#7)

Master #6

Focusing on what the client

expresses, both verbally

and nonverbally (#3) can

help the client increase self-

awareness. (#6)

Master #5

The key element of

“attentiveness” (#5) can aid

in the client feeling

understood and validated.

(#3)

Master #4

Identifying discrepancies

between the client’s words

and emotion (#3) shows an

awareness of the dynamics

occurring during the session

(#4)

Mastery #2

When the coach is “listening for” rather than “listening to” (2), he/she is listening beyond what the

client articulates (#3)

Mastery #1

Ensuring a safe space and

supportive environment can

be created through using

active listening.

Mastery #3

Examples of how “Engaged

listening” supports and is

support by the other

Masteries

Mastery #9

When the coach taps into

the client’s values and

sense of identity to create

sustainable systems (#9),

the coach is highly attuned

to communication from the

client (#4).

Mastery #8

When the client is willing to

expand his/her comfort

zone (#8), the coach assists

the client toward positive

action (#4).

Master #7

The coach, while

responding to the changing

needs and desires of the

client (#7), is using what is

happening between coach

and client as an opportunity

of discovery (#4).

Master #6

The most important issue in

the session (#6) is

discovered in the here and

now (#4).

Master #5

As the coach invites the

client’s self-disclosure (#5),

he/she can model for the

client the value of

expanding levels of self-

awareness (#4)

Master #3

When the coach is alert to

discrepancies between

what the client is saying

versus what he/she is

emoting (#3), the coach

helps the client engage is

the present reality (#4)

Mastery #2

In order for the clients to

expand instead of simply

stretch (#2), the coach’s

attention needs to be

attuned to the client’s

agenda and needs (#4)

Mastery #1

For the coach to be alert to

indications of fear and doubt,

and observe if trust is blocked

(#1), the coach would be aware

of th dynamics occurring within

the session or with the client

(#4)

Mastery

#4

How “Processing in the

Present” supports and

is supported by the

other masteries.

Mastery #9

When the coach invites the

client’s input, self-disclosure

and expression of feelings

(#5), the coach can better

align coaching points with

the client’s values and

culture (#9).

Mastery #8

Posing questions to

enhance the process of

discover (#8) is supported

when the coach speaks

directly, while being

sensitive to the client’s

circumstances (#5).

Master #7

With the client open and

understanding

communication from the

coach (#5), the coach can

skillfully bring the client

back to what’s important

(#7).

Master #6

When the most important

issue for the client is

identified and addressed

(#6) the communication

becomes a springboard to

more open discourse (#5).

Master #4

The coaches attentiveness

(#5) helps the coach utilize

what is happening in the

session to assist the client in

greater self-awareness (#4).

Master #3

The coach is not apt to lead

the client in a particular

direction (#3) when he/she

remains client-focused (#5).

Mastery #2

By communicating “for” vs.

“to” the client (#5), the

coach can naturally

demonstrate commitment

to the client’s success (#2).

Mastery #1

The coach demonstrates

integrity in words and

actions (#1), which can

model things like

appropriate boundaries

(#5).

Mastery #5

Examples of how

“Expressing” supports

and is supported by the

other masteries.

Mastery #9

Connecting the client to

something previously

experienced (#6), can help

align with the client’s values

and culture to create more

meaning (#9).

Mastery #8

By discovering the effects of

conditioned thinking (#8),

confusion and uncertainty

are reduced or eliminated

(#4).

Master #7

Looking beyond the

symptoms and addressing

the source of what the

client brings to the session

(#6) transforms, not just

changes, the client and/or

the client’s perspective (#7).

Master #5

Facilitating alignment of

purpose, vision and mission,

(#6) through inviting the

client’s input, self-disclosure

and expression of feelings

(#5)

Master #4

The client is free to express

and engage with present

reality (#4) when there is no

judgment from the coach,

no leading toward a

particular destination (#6)

Master #3

When the coach focuses on

what the client expresses,

both verbally and non-

verbally (#3), the coach is

more apt to identify the

client’s unconscious

patterns (#6).

Mastery #2

Helping the client indentify

beliefs (#2), can result in the

client’s increased self-

awareness and enhanced

perspective (#6).

Mastery #1

When the client is open to

sharing and receiving (#1),

blocks that might prevent

the client from moving

forward are more easily

revealed (#6)

Mastery

#6

Examples of how

“Clarifying” supports

and is supported by

the other masteries.

Mastery #9

When the client has a

realization and removes a

mental obstacle (#7),

he/she can more easily

create support structures

and systems that are

sustainable (#9).

Mastery #8

When the coach poses

questions that enhance the

process of discovery (#8),

the client can be inspired by

the possibilities (#7)

Master #6

By clarifying the direction of

the progress (#7)), the client

and coach can move

forward in a more directed

way (#6).

Master #5

As the coach invites the

client’s input, self-disclosure

and expression of feelings

(#5) the coach can naturally

align the coaching points

with the client’s intentions

and values (#7).

Master #4

The client is free to express

and engage with present

reality (#4) he/she is able to

stay mindful to what is most

important (#7)

Master #3

The coach confirms the

client’s communication (#3)

by reviewing, revising

and/or celebrating the

process and intentions (#7).

Mastery #2

The client experiences

transformation vs. change

(#7) when the coach

inspires and invokes the

client’s greatest potential

(#2).

Mastery #1

Through active listening

(#1), the coach brings the

client back to what is

important (#7).

Mastery

#7

Examples of how “Helping

the Client Set and Keep

Clear Intentions” supports

and is supported by the

other masteries.

Mastery #9

Encouragement to explore

the most ambitious options

(#8) is supported through

the building of appropriate

systems and structures (#9).

Mastery #7

As assumptions and

intentions are clarified (#7)

the client is able to see

possibilities from a larger

perspective (#8).

Master #6

When the coach and client

discover the source of

what’s most important in

the session (#6), the

approach is creative, not

prescriptive (#8). Master #5

When the client is at ease

and trusting (#5), he/she is

more able to recognize that

expansion, help, or other

ideas are possible (#8).

Master #4

In allowing the unknown to

present itself (#8),

the coach is responding

from awareness, not from

conditioned thinking (#4).

Master #3

When the coach notices

nuances in the client’s

communication (#3), they

have the opportunity to

minimize the effects of the

client’s conditioned thinking

(#8).

Mastery #2

As the client’s awareness is

expanded (#8), there is a

recognition of a wider range

of possibilities (#2).

Mastery #1

When the client willingly

shares concerns or fears

(#1), the conversation can

enter new and potentially

unrelated areas,

encouraging possibility (#8).

Mastery

#8

Examples of how “Creating

an environment that allows

ideas, options and

opportunities to emerge” is

supported by all the

Masteries.

Mastery #8

Using appropriate tools and

techniques to create the

environment for expansion

(#8) is a way the coach and

client identify expanding

capability through systems

and structures(#9).

Mastery #7

The coach is able to

distinguish an action step

from a supportive system

(#9), which can make the

difference between the

client simply moving vs.

making real progress (#7).

Master #6

The coach elicits the client’s

sense of identity as a way to

ensure sustainability (#9)

when the coach is able to

identify the client’s key

values and needs (#6).

Master #5

The client can be confident

that resources are available

or can be created (#9) when

the coach is building

rapport through

communication tailored to

the client’s needs (#5).

Master #4

As the coach utilizes what is

happening in the session

(#4), he/she will be able to

discern what will enhance

vs. overwhelm the client

(#9).

Master #3

Being aware of vs. pre-

empting (#3) allows the

coach to eliminate any

attachment to the client’s

response to resource,

system or structure (#9).

Mastery #2

The coach demonstrates belief in the client’s

potential (#2) which can help the client with an

appreciation that is empowering (#9).

Mastery #1

When the client sees

transformation and growth

as manageable. (#1), The

client’s progress toward

their goals or intentions is

more apt to be sustainable

(#9).

Mastery #9

Examples of how “Helping

the client create and use

supportive systems and

structures” supports and is

support by the other

Masteries